Discussion: An ordinance adopting amendments to Title 13 of Flagstaff City Code entitled "Engineering Design and Construction Standards and Specifications for New Infrastructure."

The intent of the Engineering Standards is to provide information on minimum acceptable design and construction practices for infrastructure in the City of Flagstaff. The last update to these standards was made in 2012. Since then, through regular use, enforcement of the standards and working with our maintenance Departments, City Engineering staff have identified some necessary revisions. These revisions have been proposed to correct errors and omissions, incorporate best practices for safety and long term maintenance considerations, incorporate new technologies, improve the look and consistency of the standards, and provide consistency with other adopted codes and standards.

Proposed Schedule for Discussion and Adoption:
04/11 Work Session: Council will provide initial comments to staff regarding proposed revisions
05/02 Council Meeting: Discuss Chapters 1-9
05/09  Work Session: Discuss revisions to section concerning Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA)
05/16 Council Meeting: Discuss Chapters 10-23
06/06 Council Meeting: Finalize any discussions and read Ordinance for the first time
06/20 Council Meeting: Read Ordinance by title only for the final time/adopt Ordinance

COUNCIL GOALS:
3) Provide sustainable and equitable public facilities, services, and infrastructure systems in an efficient and effective manner to serve all population areas and demographics

BACKGROUND/HISTORY:
The City of Flagstaff has previously adopted Title 13 of City Code entitled "Engineering Design and Construction Standards and Specification for New Infrastructure" (later referred to as Engineering Standards) in Ordinance 2012-05.

The proposed and ongoing revisions to the Engineering Standards ensures that the City continues to address and improve public safety. These Standards also ensures high performing infrastructure that improve and reduce maintenance in the future.

The Engineering Standards and proposed revisions are a result of comprehensive review from an internal stakeholder committee which were then presented to the professional community (the Northern Arizona Builders Association, local civil engineers, contractors, architects, Traffic Commission, and Planning and Zoning Commission). Comments were solicited at meetings, and through the City's online community forum, with these groups and incorporated into the proposed revisions when appropriate.

Upon approval of the proposed revisions, Engineering will begin another revision cycle. Staff will include the same stakeholders, and involve key community partners, as we work through this revision cycle. Staff will bring these proposed revisions to Council in approximately one to two years.

KEY CONSIDERATIONS:
Below is a list of the major revisions made to the Engineering Standards

- Survey Standards
- Traffic Impact Analysis Standards
- Changes as a result of the International Fire Code
- Permanent Stabilization / Erosion Control

See the attached revisions summary for brief description of all of the revisions made. This attachment also provides a schedule for discussion of these revisions.

COMMUNITY BENEFITS AND CONSIDERATIONS:
The community benefits economically by having public infrastructure that is designed and constructed to serve the pubic in the most efficient way possible, and that will have a minimal cost of operation and maintenance.  The community also benefits from improved public safety as a result of the adoption of the proposed revisions to the Engineering Standards.